Driekop Police Investigate After Discovery of Bodies in Wheelbarrows

POLOKWANE – The Driekop Police are investigating three inquest cases following the grim discovery of the bodies of foreign nationals in wheelbarrows at Mooihoek village on 15 November 2023.

Discovery of the Bodies

According to South African Police Service, the police were alerted by an anonymous tip about suspicious individuals coming from the mountains with wheelbarrows. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found three abandoned wheelbarrows, each carrying a critically injured person. Emergency personnel declared the individuals deceased. Two of the deceased have been identified as Tagwireyi Matthew, 21, and Masukume Vongani, 38, while the third remains unidentified.

Investigation and Preliminary Findings

Preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased were injured during illegal mining activities in Mooihoek village. The police have initiated three inquest cases to further explore the circumstances of these deaths.

Provincial Commissioner’s Warning

Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, has urged the community to avoid illegal mining activities, highlighting the dangers and potential loss of life. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with police continuing their inquiry into the matter.